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This Southeast Asian Country Has Second Largest Known Population of Whale Sharks

This Southeast Asian Country Has Second Largest Known Population of Whale Sharks
CNN | swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines

The Philippines officially hosts the second largest known population of whale sharks in the world according to Wildbook for Whale Sharks, a global online population catalogue used by scientists and the public.

The Philippine population total, which now stands at >1,600 individual whale sharks, was reached through the submission of photo-identification data from dedicated work by LAMAVE, WWF-Philippines and avid and active members of the public.

Previously, Australia was recognised as the second largest known population on the database, while Mexico remains the number one global hotspot, with more than 2,400 individual whale sharks identified in its waters.

Tourists swim alongside a whale shark in Philippine waters. Image: Lamave
Tourists swim alongside a whale shark in Philippine waters. Image: LAMAVE

 

The Philippines’ progression to the number two spot, highlights the global significance of the archipelago for this endangered species, and emphasises the country as a conservation leader for the species in South East Asia.

Whale sharks are identified by the unique spot patterns on their bodies. Similar to a human fingerprint, these unique patterns enable scientists and the public to distinguish individual whale sharks by comparing a photograph of the left side of the body.

Using this technique called photographic identification or photo-ID, anyone can contribute to the collaborative effort to understand the global population of whale sharks by submitting photos to Wildbook for Whale Sharks.

The photo- identification area used to identify individual whale sharks. Image: LAMAVE
The photo- identification area used to identify individual whale sharks. Image: LAMAVE

 

Swimming with the world’s largest shark is a "bucket list" item for many people. Reaching lengths of up to 40 feet or more, weighing at least 20 tons, and living up to maybe 70 years, these animals can look intimidating for those wary of sharks in general.

As plankton-feeders, they are found feeding in shallow waters worldwide which allows countries to take advantage of these aggregations for tourism purposes.

The ethics of interacting with them is complex: while the revenue they bring in can benefit the local economies and help fund conservation research.

Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines. Image: CNN
Swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines. Image: CNN

"The whale shark continues to face threats internationally, and also in Philippine waters through unregulated tourism and accidental bycatch, however being recognised as the second most significant whale shark population in the world, according to Wildbook for Whale Sharks, is something to be celebrated. LAMAVE hopes that the Philippines will continue to lead in conservation efforts to protect the Butanding (tuki, tiki-tiki, taloki, tawiki, tiriki-tiki, iho-tiki), the pride of the country," concluded LAMAVE.

 

Source : LAMAVE | Forbes

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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